Looking at Li Guang's letter, Wang Zhibo was filled with excitement. To transform Shuixian Town into a unique and important town within three to five years—what a grand undertaking!
Li Guang did not explain what kind of major town Shuixian Town would develop into in the future; that would depend on how much courage and boldness Wang Zhibo possessed.
After reading the letter, Wang Zhibo fell into deep thought. What kind of important town could be considered unique?
A few years ago, Shuixian Village was just an unknown little mountain village. Now, Shuixian Town's overall strength has surpassed that of Qing'an Prefecture, but the Emperor feels that this is still far from enough.
Perhaps only by making Narcissus Town the most important town in the world, besides the capital, could the emperor be satisfied.
However, Narcissus Town cannot compare with the capital city. The capital city is the political, military, and cultural center where all nations pay tribute, a position that no other major town can replace.
The only thing Shuixian Town can do is to vigorously develop its economy and education, transforming it into the imperial court's purse and granary, and providing the Great Northern Dynasty with outstanding talents. Shuixian Town is capable of doing so in these aspects.
Since the completion of the southern irrigation canal in Zhengyang County, the southern region has become an important granary for the Great Northern Dynasty.
Shuixian Town has done very well in terms of economy and education, and has a solid foundation. The next step is to develop and expand these two aspects.
Seeing that Wang Zhibo seemed to be deep in thought, Zhao Xian knew that Wang Zhibo was planning a grand scheme, so he said, "Magistrate Wang has lofty ambitions, and everything he does is of great significance."
Zhao Xian's words brought Wang Zhibo back to his senses. Seeing that everyone was looking at him, he spoke up:
"For the emperor, Narcissus Town was his second hometown. The emperor attached great importance to the development of Narcissus Town and wanted to make it the second major town after the capital."
The town of Shuixian has now developed to a point where it is renowned throughout the land, but it still falls far short of the emperor's expectations. We must continue our efforts to strive for even greater development for Shuixian Town.
Zhao Xian quickly understood and said:
"It is our duty to develop Shuixian Town into a unique and important town in the Great Northern Dynasty. If Magistrate Wang needs our help, please don't hesitate to ask."
Wang Zhibo nodded. Zhao Xian was an extraordinary person in the Great Northern Dynasty. With his strong support, there was nothing that could not be accomplished. At this moment, Wang Zhibo was full of confidence.
Ouyang Nan had another important reason for returning: to bring Meng Yaoyao and Li Nan back to the capital.
Meng Yaoyao has lived in Narcissus Village for many years and has long loved it. She is a little reluctant to leave it for the capital.
Before this, she knew that she and Li Nan would eventually return to the capital, which was their true home. More importantly, she couldn't leave Li Guang.
Because it was planned in advance, leaving Narcissus Village to live in the capital did not seem sudden.
After more than ten days of preparation, everything was ready, and Ouyang Nan prepared to leave Shuixian Town and return to the capital.
Upon learning that Meng Yaoyao was returning to the capital and would rarely have time to come back, the villagers of Yuanshuixian Village were reluctant to part with her and came to see her off.
During this period, Zhao Xian made several new carriages, which were more advanced and more comfortable to ride in than the carriages he had made before.
Zhao Xian instructed Ouyang Nan to bring several new-style carriages back to the capital. Once the official road was fully opened, traveling between the two places by these carriages would be much more convenient.
Wang Zhibo also saw Ouyang Nan off from the town. As Ouyang Nan was leaving, Wang Zhibo took out a letter and asked him to deliver it to the emperor. After these tasks were completed, everyone bid each other a reluctant farewell.
More than ten days later, the group finally returned to the capital. Li Guang disguised himself and went out of the city to welcome Meng Yaoyao and Li Nan. From then on, Meng Yaoyao and Li Nan lived in the palace.
During this period, the old emperor's health recovered well. Although he still had some difficulty walking, he no longer needed anyone's help and could walk on his own.
Li Guang was overjoyed. At this rate of recovery, the old emperor would be able to move freely in less than six months.
By then, the official road from Shuixian Town to the capital will be open. If the Emperor Emeritus's health permits, Li Guang will take him to Shuixian Town in a new-style carriage to fulfill the old emperor's wish.
I've been away from Narcissus Town for so long, and I want to go back and visit, since I lived there for ten years.
In the blink of an eye, another six months passed. The old emperor had almost fully recovered. Since he no longer needed to worry about court affairs, he was able to eat and drink well and was in excellent spirits.
However, the weather is turning cold and everything is withering, so going to Narcissus Town at this time is definitely not suitable.
Li Guang planned to take the retired emperor to Shuixian Town next year when the weather warmed up and all the flowers were in full bloom, to see the beautiful scenery there.
Over the years, the old emperor has had a very hard time. Apart from being chased by foreign soldiers a few years ago and traveling a long distance, he has never traveled far again and has always stayed in the capital.
At this time, the prelude to large-scale development of Shuixian Town had begun. If Shuixian Town had previously developed along both sides of the canal, then this large-scale development was along both sides of the official road.
Wang Zhibo widened the official road near Shuixian Town in order to allow for better development of the areas on both sides of the road.
Despite the increasingly cold weather, the city's construction remains enthusiastic, and Narcissus Town has entered an unprecedented phase of rapid development.
Wang Zhibo's development strategy is not complicated: make Shuixian Town bigger and stronger, and then let other aspects and facilities catch up.
With Wang Zhibo's drive and Zhao Xianqi's unique ideas, it's no problem to build Shuixian Town into a unique and important town within three to five years.
Winter soon passed and spring arrived, and the weather gradually warmed up; it was already February.
Li Guang planned to take the retired emperor to Narcissus Village in June. By then, the weather would be warm, and the lotus flowers in the lake would be in full bloom, making it the most beautiful time of the year.
With three or four months to go before the emperor's arrival in Narcissus Town, both sides began making preparations.
Time flies, and three or four months have passed quickly.
In early June, eight luxurious carriages appeared on the official road leading from the capital to Shuixian Town. The carriages sped along the road, followed closely by a group of people who were protecting them.
In the middle carriage, Li Guang accompanied the retired emperor. The carriage was moving quickly, and there was no bump in the carriage. There were several cups of tea on the small table inside the carriage, but none of them spilled.
The other carriages carried, besides some old ministers, also carried members of the imperial family. This was the first time in the old emperor's life that he had taken his entire family on a long trip.
Li Guang knew that although riding in such a carriage was very comfortable, most of the passengers were the elderly, women, and children, so he still needed to be careful.
Since we were going to visit Narcissus Village, there was no need to rush. So we slowed down and increased rest time along the way, which allowed us to enjoy the scenery.
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